Page 61 of Beyond the Summer

Maybe that wasn't such a bad thing after all.I pressed the button to turn the camera to face myself and Ben and smiled at it.

"Well.Now that you have seen my dirty laundry aired, I might as well introduce myself," I said."I'm Sutton Holm.I'm 21 years old, and I'm gay.And this is my boyfriend, Ben, who I love more than anyone in the world.That asshole, in case you missed his introduction, was Lawrence Holm, my father.You may know him as Pastor Holm, of the Divine Light Church."

I swallowed hard, glancing at Ben.

"And I have more to say, if you'd like to listen…"

Epilogue - Sutton

Istaredatmyphone, my thumb frozen mid-scroll.The sheer volume of notifications was overwhelming.Beside me on the couch, Ben leaned in closer, his warmth a comforting presence against my side.

"Damn," he said, looping an arm over my shoulders."Is that the camp's page?"

"No, it's my personal one.Holy shit," I muttered, scrolling through the camp's social media."I can't believe this.I didn't even mean to film the confrontation.Now people are tracking me down from the camp's page to make sure I'm okay?"

When I'd dropped my phone, the camera had captured my father's meltdown in full—and at a rather unflattering angle.Between that and his vile words, the citizens of the internet were having a heyday, and that and my subsequent coming out had gone viral overnight.I'd expected backlash, hatred, people siding with my bigoted asshole of a father.But this… this was something else entirely.

"Look at all these supportive messages," I said, my voice barely above a whisper."I don't understand."

Ben's hand found mine, his fingers intertwining with my own."Imagine that.Most people dislike bigots."

I chuckled, side-eying him."You sure about that?"

"People recognize bravery when they see it, Sutton.He's not just your father.You called out a powerful man on the hate he spreads, on the ways he hurts people, including you.That takes guts."

I snorted, but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips."I spend so much time around my father and his friends that I never thought about how many people truly hate the things he says."

"I'm sure there are some asshole comments, but it feels good to know that there are enough good people out there to drown out the assholes when they get riled up," Ben said, grinning.He tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze.Those soulful brown eyes of his made my heart stutter."You did the right thing.And now the entire world knows what an ass Lawrence Holm really is."

I nodded, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat.Part of me still couldn't believe I'd actually done it—come out to the entire fucking world in one impulsive moment of defiance.

"But what if—" I started, only to be cut off by Ben's finger on my lips.

"No what ifs," he said firmly."Everything's going to be okay, Sutton.I promise."

I wanted to believe him, but years of repression and fear weren't so easily overcome.Even after Ben had convinced me to start therapy.

"How can you be so sure?"I asked, hating how small and uncertain my voice sounded.

Ben's lips quirked into that crooked smile that never failed to make my insides melt."Because you've got me in your corner now.You've got good people willing to fight for you.Hell, Kaito Yamada stood up and made a statement.Do you know how wealthy and powerful Aiden's family is?They own all of Yamada Hotels, and they put your father's televangelist money to shame."

"Shit," I murmured.

As I scrolled through more messages, I felt a warmth spreading through my chest.For the first time in my life, I felt truly seen, accepted.Accepted.It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

"Look at this one," I said, showing Ben a particularly touching message from a young gay teen thanking me for giving him hope of overcoming his strictly conservative family.

Ben squeezed my hand."You're making a difference, Sutton.You should be proud."

I nodded, blinking back the sudden sting of tears.Ben reached up and cupped my cheek, setting the phone aside and smiling at me, his thumb gently tracing over my skin.I leaned in, drawn by the intensity in Ben's dark eyes.Our lips met in a tender kiss, soft and reassuring.I sighed into his mouth, feeling the tension in my shoulders start to melt away.Nothing helped soothe my frazzled nerves the way his touch did.

Just as the kiss began to deepen, a sharp knock at the door startled us apart.

"Shit," Ben muttered, pulling back reluctantly."That's probably Matt, with more news about registration.The website crashed earlier from all the traffic."

My stomach clenched with nerves."God, I hope it's nothing bad."

Ben gave my hand a quick squeeze before standing."Shut that anxious mind down.I'm sure there's nothing to worry about."

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